1988 Ford Falcon problems
The Ford Falcon is a model line of cars that was produced by Ford from the 1960 to 1970 model years. Though preceded by the Rambler American, the Falcon was the first compact car marketed by the Big Three American manufacturers.
In contrast to its Chevrolet Corvair and (Plymouth) Valiant competitors, the Falcon was developed as a scaled-down version of the full-size Ford Galaxie sedan. Alongside its larger counterparts, the Falcon offered a full range of body styles, including two-door and four-door sedans, two-door hardtops and convertibles, two-door and four-door station wagons (the former, serving as a basis of the final Ford sedan delivery), and coupe utility pickups (serving as the basis of the Ford Ranchero). Through the 1960s, Ford would produce three distinct generations of the Falcon; a final version of the Falcon served as the lowest-price version of the Ford Torino.
For nearly two decades, the model architecture used by the Falcon was used by eleven Ford vehicle lines. Alongside the first generations of the Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar pony cars and the Ford Econoline/Ford Falcon Van/Ford Club Wagon vans, the platform was used for two generations of successors to the Falcon, including the Ford Maverick and Mercury Comet and the later Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch; the Lincoln Versailles luxury sedan was the final model line derived from the Falcon.
During its production, the Falcon was manufactured by Ford in multiple facilities across North America. Following its discontinuation in that region, the platform continued in production through 1991 by Ford Argentina (as the Ford Granada). From 1972, Ford Australia continued development of the Falcon as a model line distinct to the region, lasting through 2016.
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Common 1988 Ford Falcon problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1988 Ford Falcon, several common problems have been identified:
- Electrical Problems: The Ford Falcon EA-ED series, including the 1988 model, is known to have sketchy old electrics/electronics. Owners have experienced distributor module failures and fuel pump issues, which can result in the car stalling. It is recommended to seek assistance from specialists for repairs and parts replacement in case of electrical failures.
- Timing Chain Failure: Some owners have reported timing chain failures in the 1988 Ford Falcon. This issue can lead to significant engine damage and should be addressed promptly to prevent further complications. Regular maintenance and timely replacement of timing chains can help prevent this problem.
- Pistons Punch Valves: Another reported issue with the 1988 Ford Falcon is pistons punching valves. This can cause severe engine damage and affect the car's performance. It is essential to address this problem promptly to avoid costly repairs and ensure the engine's longevity.
- Cork Gaskets: The use of cork gaskets in the Ford Falcon EA series, including the 1988 model, has been highlighted as a potential problem. Cork gaskets can deteriorate over time, leading to oil leaks and other engine issues. Regular inspection and replacement of gaskets can help prevent this problem and maintain the engine's performance.
These common problems reported by owners of the 1988 Ford Falcon highlight the importance of regular maintenance, prompt repairs, and attention to potential issues to ensure the longevity and reliability of the vehicle.
Are old Ford Falcons reliable?
2007 Ford Falcon ES BF Mk II
I've used this reliable and efficient car for 14 years without a problem. LPG system was a great addition and worked like a gem especially on those long drives. Love it!
Were Ford Falcons good cars?
It is hard to deny that Ford Falcons are known for their excellent performance on the road. Car enthusiasts regularly cite Ford Falcon engines as being among some of the most powerful in their class, providing blistering speed and impeccable handling that put them above many other vehicles on the market today.
How long did the Ford Falcon last?
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car that was manufactured by Ford Australia from 1960 to 2016.
What was the best selling Ford Falcon?
XF
Ford's sales success continued with the XF which remains the nameplate's best-ever selling model, the Blue Oval selling over 278,000 XF Falcons over its five-year lifecycle from 1984-88.
Are old Ford Falcons reliable?
2007 Ford Falcon ES BF Mk II
I've used this reliable and efficient car for 14 years without a problem. LPG system was a great addition and worked like a gem especially on those long drives. Love it!
Were Ford Falcons good cars?
It is hard to deny that Ford Falcons are known for their excellent performance on the road. Car enthusiasts regularly cite Ford Falcon engines as being among some of the most powerful in their class, providing blistering speed and impeccable handling that put them above many other vehicles on the market today.
What was the problem with the EA Falcon?
Head gaskets were known to blow repeatedly, the engine was prone to serious oil leaks, transmission problems, parts falling off such as window winders, interior mirrors, rattles and squeaks coming from every concievable corner, it soon became apparent that the Falcon wasnt all it was cracked up to be.
How long did the Ford Falcon last?
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car that was manufactured by Ford Australia from 1960 to 2016.
1988 Ford Falcon car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Falcon problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Tires problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Ford Falcon vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1988 Ford Falcon complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Ford Falcon.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1FDHS34G4JH
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: THREE COOPER DISCOVERER TIRES DEVELOPED CROWN (TREAD) SEPARATION. RIGHT FRONT WAS OKAY. WHEN DRIVING CAN HEAR A CLUMP NOISE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER & WAS INFORMED PAY FOR 1/2 PRICE FOR EACH OF THE TIRES WITH THE PROBLEM. NOT ORIGINAL TIRES ON VEHICLE. COOPER DISCOVERER LT 235/85R16 WITH 46,000 MILES ON A 1988 FORD, FALCON CHASSIS.*AK DOT#211492R4432. *SLC
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1988 Ford Falcon problems:
Why do so many people hate EA's? - Australian Ford Forums
... ford experience to be crap. I just want to know what the common problems are that seperate it form other E series. ILLaViTaR is offline ...
Ford 4.9l reliability and problems| Grassroots Motorsports forum |
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EA Falcon idle's like a biatch | Ford Forums
Oct 21, 2002 ... This is moving up and down creating the rough idle. Dont know if this is a common problem , but im thinking as the controller is working ...im ...
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Apr 1, 2022 ... EEC-IV PCM Capacitor Leakage Problem - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums. 1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks - EEC-IV PCM Capacitor ...
Anyone running LPG conversions?
Apr 6, 2018 ... 1988 - 1996 (E34) ... Common problem if running on LPG all the time is injectors blocking up ... These days the aussie ford falcon is dead and the ...
Other years of Ford Falcon
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